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2. Albert Einstein on Prohibition The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the Prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this. Albert Einstein

3. The Many Faces of Jack Cole 1964 1970

4. Has the war on drugs worked? This map shows one month’s murders (2010). Red markers are civilians; blue are law enforcement. Since Felipe Calderon’s war began in 2006, over 30,000 have died in Mexico drug war. Deaths average 50 per day.

5. Has the war on drugs worked? Students consistently report that it is easier to buy illegal drugs than it is to buy beer or cigarettes. Drug dealers don’t ask for ID.

6. Has the war on drugs worked? A 2010 comprehensive review of studies on the subject concluded: Drug law enforcement was associated with increased levels of drug market violence. Drug law enforcement practices aimed to disrupt drug markets may have the unintentional effect of increasing levels of drug market violence.

7. Has the war on drugs worked? Regardless of enforcement expenditures, the negative effects of prohibition (including violence and criminal enrichment) have resulted no matter where or when prohibition has been tried.  

8. Has the war on drugs worked? After 40+ years of the modern phase of the drug war, drugs are more available, powerful, and inexpensive than ever. NO

9. Before 1914, heroin could be bought from grocery stores 1914: Harrison Act was passed, making drugs illegal Government claimed: 1.3% of the population was addicted to drugs

10. President Nixon and the Shafer Commission In 1970, Congress created a Presidential Commission to report on the effects of marijuana and recommend appropriate drug policies.

11. Nixon and the Shafer Commission • After much research, the Commission concluded: “. . . neither the marihuana user nor the drug itself can be said to constitute a danger to public safety.” Despite these findings, the “war on drugs” was declared by President Nixon in 1971. Drug use was used as one justification;1.3% of the population was addicted to drugs.

12. DEA Briefing Book 2001 $6.37 1970 1.5 % $3.90 3.6% 38 % $0.80

13. How prevalent is drug use? The most recent government studies show that the number of people in the US above the age of 12 who have used an illegal drug is 112 million (46% of the population).

14. Costs of the drug war Legalizing drugs would yield $88 billion per year between enforcement savings and tax revenue, according to a 2010 study by Harvard economics professor Jeffrey Miron. The federal drug law enforcement budget for 2009 was $20 billion – that’s 1/3 the federal budget of education.

15. The colloquial definition of insanity Despite the incredible increase in costs (federal drug enforcement budgets have increased by more than 1800% in the past 20 years), the war on drugs has failed by all reasonable measures. How many are addicted after about 90 years, 40 of which included a war on drugs? About 1.3%

16. The economics of prohibition • Constant demand + Increasing sentences = Higher profits • According to UN estimates, the global illicit drug market is worth $500 billion annually

17. This cash stash seized from a drug dealer is a mere $207 million in 100-dollar bills This is a mere $255 million $500 billion would cover a room 2,000 times this size

18. Prison overcrowding The United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world, with a little less than 5 percent of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s prisoners.

19. Racism in the drug war Blacks constitute 53.5 percent of all persons who entered prison because of a drug conviction Blacks are 10.1 times more likely than whites to enter prison for drug offenses.

20. Incarceration Rate of Black Males Per 100,000 population South Africa - 1993 Under apartheid, the most racist regime in modern history 851 UnitedStates - 2008 Under prohibition and the selectively enforced war on drugs 4,919

21. LEAP’s mission LEAP believes that the war on drugs needs to end. We support a model of regulated and controlled distribution of drugs which would lead to fewer incidences of death, disease, crime, and addiction.

22. Example: Portugal Since decriminalizing in 2001: • Drug use by 13 to 19 year olds: down by 22-25%. • Heroin overdose deaths: down by 52%. • HIV infections reported by drug users: down by an amazing 71%.

23. Example: Switzerland Since taking a public health approach to heroin: • Not one person in the program has died of a heroin overdose since it was implemented. • Lower rates of crime, death, and disease, a drop in expected new users, and an improvement in mental and physical health, employment and housing.  • Felony crime down by more than 60%

24. Heading in the right direction • Mexico decriminalized all drugs to reduce police corruption • Argentina’sSupreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to arrest anyone for use of personal possession of any drug. • The Supreme Court of Colombia made the same ruling. • The Czech Republic also decriminalized all drugs. • But Decriminalization Isn’t Enough..

25. Want to Get Involved? • Sign up as a supporter and get a free LEAP badge lapel pin. • Visit our website: http://www.leap.cc • Bring LEAP speakers to your local church, rotary, college • Get involved in drug law reform on a local level • Become a donor

26. Appendix A: Regulation Models • What would a post-prohibition regime look like? • The UK-based think tank recently published these ideas in its book, “After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation” which can be downloaded for free at http://tdpf.org.uk • Five models of regulation for different types of drugs: • Unlicensed Sales • E.g., coffee shops • Licensed Premises • E.g., bars • Licensed Sales • E.g., liquor/tobacco stores • 4. Pharmacy Model • 5. Prescription Model

27. Appendix B: State by State Estimates (1 of 3)

28. State by State Estimates (2 of 3)

29. State by State Estimates (3 of 3)

30. Appendix C: For Law Enforcers • Prohibition will not end overnight and regulation will need to be implemented • Police agencies will be able to focus on violent crimes and reap the benefit of higher closure rates • No community would lay off police officers as a result of legalization • Correctional institutions will be more effective and a safer place to work